NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title:	BIOL1408 General Biology
Course Prefix & Number:		BIO 1408	Section Number:	400, 402, 500	Semester/Year:	Spring 2021
Semester Credit Hours:		4	Lecture Hours:	3	Lab Hours:	1
Course Description (NCTC Catalog): Provides a survey of biological principles with an emphasis on humans, including chemistry of life, cells, structure, function, and reproduction.
Course Prerequisite(s):
Required or Recommended Course Materials: Inquiry Into Life, 16th ed., Mader & Windelspecht ISBN  9781260231700

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor:	Anne Coltman
Campus/Office Location:	Flower Mound, #222
Telephone Number:
E-mail Address:	acoltman@nctc.edu

 

OFFICE HOURS:

I will be available by email and I will have office hours and tutorials in WebEx as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (From Academic Course Guide Manual/Workforce Education Course Manual/NCTC Catalog

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Lecture Learning Outcomes 1. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures. 2. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis. 3. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. 4. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results. 5. Describe karyotyping, pedigrees, and biotechnology and provide an example of the uses of each. 6. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation. 7. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.   Lab Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will: Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory. Effectively communicate the results of scientific investigations. Distinguish between prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant and animal cells, and identify major cell structures. Identify stages of the cell cycle, mitosis (plant and animal), and meiosis. Interpret results from cell physiology experiments involving movement across membranes, enzymes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration. Apply genetic principles to predict the outcome of genetic crosses and statistically analyze results. Identify the importance of karyotypes, pedigrees, and biotechnology. Identify parts of a DNA molecule, and describe replication, transcription, and translation. Analyze evidence for evolution and natural selection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADING CRITERIA

# of Graded Course Elements	Graded Course Elements	Percentage or Point Values
Assignments @ 20 points each	There will 3 -4 assignments for each unit for a total of 15 assignments, the due dates will be published in Canvas	300 points
4-unit exams @ 100 pts each	These exams will be over lecture materials	400 points
10-online labs @20 pts each	These will be form McGraw-Hill Connect and other online sources, due dates published in Canvas	200 points
2 Lab exams @ 100 points each	These exams will be over material covered in the online labs, due dates published in Canvas	200 points

 Grades are determined as follows: A= 90-100%; B= 80-89%; C= 70-79%; D=60-69% F=<60%

You will have a three-day time period to take all of your exams.  Lock Down Browser is required. The comprehensive final is optional and maybe taken to replace the lowest grade of the previous four lecture exams.

 

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

Unit 1: Cell Biology: cellular chemistry, cell structure and function, cell division and metabolism and respiration Chapters 1-4	Exam 1: Will be published on February 5, 2021 and will be due February 7, 2021	Exam is worth 100 points.  No makeup will be given.  See grading criteria above
Unit 2: Cell Biology: cell division, metabolism, cellular respiration and photosynthesis Chapters 5-8	Exam 2: Will be published on March 5, 2021 and will be due March 7, 2021	Exam is worth 100 points. No makeup will be given. See grading criteria above.
Unit 3: Patterns of genetic inheritance: simple inheritance, Mendel’s laws, DNA structure and sequence, chromosomal basis of inheritance, biotechnology Chapters 23-26	Exam 3: Will be published on April 9, 2021 and will be due on April 11, 2021	Exam is worth 100 points. No makeup will be given. See grading criteria above
Unit 4: Evolution and microbiology; population and community ecology; ecosystems Chapters 27-28, 34-35	Exam 4: Will be published on May 7, 2021 and will be due on May 9, 2021	Exam is worth 100 points. No makeup will be given. See grading criteria above

 

Grades WILL NOT be given out over the phone or via personal email; nor will be grades be discussed with any individual other than the student.  All grades will be recorded in CANVAS, so students can monitor their grades using CANVAS grades.

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor.  It is the student responsibility to provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgement by the faculty member.  Approved college sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.  Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor.  A student who is compelled to be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for permission to postpone the exam.  Student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives.    Persistent, unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is ______April 5, 2021

 

 

COVID-19 Specific Syllabi Statements Fall 2020

 

Potential Conversion of Onsite Classes to Online/Remote Format: North Central Texas College students should be aware that in the event of a college closure due to COVID-19, onsite classes will be converted to an online/remote format. Students should plan ahead to ensure they have access to the computer equipment (either PC, MAC, or tablet), webcam, and internet connectivity to continue their classes in an online/remote format. Please read all your official North Central Texas College student emails as the transition from onsite to online/remote might require a reorganization in your personal situation. Students will be granted a 72-hour transition and grace period. Online classes will continue as scheduled without disruption. Wear a mask, stay safe, and contact your Instructor as the situation arises. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

 

 

 

 Statement Regarding Face Coverings: Per the North Central Texas College guidance on face coverings on campus, in the instructional setting, faculty and students must wear face coverings, such as masks or face shields. Students without coverings, or those who do not comply with the rules relating to face coverings, will not be able to participate in on-campus classroom activities. To request an exception to this requirement, students should contact the NCTC HR Office of Enrollment Management (ccove@nctc.edu). Failure to comply with the face coverings requirement may result in the Instructor directing the student to leave the classroom. Any student asked to leave the classroom may be referred to the student conduct officer. These policies and procedures were updated on July 30, 2020 and are subject to change.

 

 COVID-19 Attendance Policy for Face-to-Face Meetings: We are facing an unprecedented situation in which all of us must be flexible and make prudent decisions in the best interest of our families, our campus, and our community. In light of this, North Central Texas College is temporarily establishing the requirement that faculty keep records of student attendance for face-to-face course meetings as well as a documented seating chart. In addition, students who are sick or need to quarantine should not attend classes. Students will not be required to provide formal documentation from a health care provider and will not be penalized for COVID-19 related absences when proper notification to campus health officials is made in accordance with the guidelines stated below.

 

Faculty will:

•            Notify students about important course information and delivery changes through Canvas and campus email.

 

Students should:

•            Provide notification to campus officials (via NCTC Daily Health Check protocol through Canvas) if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or have to quarantine so we can confirm reported absence with instructors, monitor, and assist the campus community.

•            Notify instructors in advance of the absence.

•            Connect with that class through Webex if the class session is being transmitted in a hybrid fashion.

•            Keep up with and/or make up missed classwork or assignments.

•            Submit assignments digitally through Canvas or other means as announced by your instructor.

•            Work with their instructors to reschedule exams, labs, and other critical academic activities described in the course syllabus.

•            Check Canvas and campus email daily to receive important announcements pertaining to the course.

During this period, faculty with face-to-face meetings will establish assigned seating/work stations to facilitate roll-taking, and, if necessary, contact tracing. Additionally, we ask all members of the College community to be attentive to their health, and safeguard others, by following the CDC’s guideline to “stay home when you are sick.” You should stay home if you have symptoms. More information on what to do if you are sick is available at the CDC’s website. Additional NCTC information is available at http://www.nctc.edu/coronavirus/index.html

 

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling, career counseling, etc.  Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information, disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-3300.  Alternative students may stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 111 in Gainesville.

 

 

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA (For classes in the Core)________

            Communication

            Mathematics                

            Life and Physical Science

            Language, Philosophy & Culture

            Creative Arts

            American History

 

            Government/Political Science

            Social and Behavioral Sciences

            Component Area Option

 

            Critical Thinking

            Communication

            Empirical and Quantitative

 

            Teamwork

            Personal Responsibility

            Social Responsibility